How to get anyone to talk to you, according to a CEO who cold-called someone for 4 months

Business Insiderby Aine Cain

Persistence is key.

Ori Eisen, founder and CEO of digital identity authentication company Trusona, would know. He once cold called an industry leader for four months before getting a response.

Some time after Eisen became American Express' worldwide fraud director in 2002, he decided he wanted to learn more about the issue of counterfeiting from Frank Abagnale — the security consultant and fraud expert whose past career as a con man inspired the film "Catch Me If You Can."

Eisen wanted to create a new online fraud detection product. He had the technical skills necessary for the venture, but he wanted Abagnale as an adviser, due to his experience as a fraud expert and his criminal past.